Few authors are as skilled as Steve Berry in blending history with contemporary political intrigue, espionage, and page-turning thrills.

Berry brings back series hero Cotton Malone in his new thriller “The King’s Deception.” Malone is tasked with returning a teenage fugitive back to England, as a favor to his former boss at the Justice Department. Since it seems to be a low-octane assignment, Malone brings his own teenage son along, with plans to continue on to Malone’s European home.

But fresh off the flight in London the trouble begins, and before we know what hit us, Malone is in the thick of a high-stakes diplomatic showdown that involves a centuries-old secret that could change the world.

Ask an American who’s moved to England what the experience was like, and you’re likely to be treated to a discourse on culture shock. Despite a common language — well, almost — there can be an ocean of cultural difference between the two nations, as journalist Sarah Lyall discovered when she moved to London a few years ago. Now, in her book “The Anglo Files” Lyall shares her observations.

Listen to Sarah Lyall

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